Topic starter
09/08/2008 7:03 pm
Hello,
I have a few questions about Majestic America Line. Is it true that they will no longer own the Delta, Mississippi and American Queen as of November? Also, I'm a member of the Paddlewheel Steamboatin' Society since joining when it was the Delta Queen Steamboat Company when cruising on all three ships and I feel like Majestic America Line isn't all the way with it on the whole society thing because some days they will let us onboard the boat when it visits our city and some days it won't. Isn't it true that when you are a member of the society you have access to visiting the ship when it comes to your city and you also have to bring some form of identification for security? We also called the company a few days ahead and they forwarded our names to the boat and when we went down they still didn't let us on. In my opinion, it is a very un-organized company as well. My family and I truly miss the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (Delaware North) because they respected their past guests and people who are apart of the society. We are very disapointed in Majestic America. Also, they said that the Mississippi Queen was all refurbished and now is sitting in a ship yard? Lastly, why in the world did they paint the AQ dark blue?
- Chris
09/08/2008 8:39 pm
Feel Your Pain
"... I truly miss the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (Delaware North)..."
I feel your pain, as I truly miss the old Greene Line.
09/08/2008 9:57 pm
I am not the most knowledgeable one to post a response to your questions, but I think I can answer a few. MAL (Oh boy, was that moniker a sign or what??) did not keep the PSSOA club, I believe DN holds the rights to it (for what reason eludes me, as does their keeping "Steamboatin'" but that's the way it is, AFAIK. Those of us "newbies" with badges had then given to them by others who doctored them with new names--or created new badges. The trip pins are also handed out by those who have stashes of them (please, no questions asked, I certainly didn't ask myself!). They are a great tradition of Steamboatin' and some of us feel should be kept going. A few of us even toyed around with the idea of turning it into an active organization--but none of us has time to do that, especially long-term! With the current uncertainties for the future, it might be a moot thing anyways.
As to the boats, MAL still (as I write this) owns them, but they are up for sale. The DQ loses her exemption on Nov 1, and because of technicalities of the law may not be able to be sailed after that date (I'm not a lawyer, and haven't (yet) played one on stage, just repeating what has been told me).
AND YES, day to day the "rules" change! AAUGH! Apparently nowadays so do your airline flights!
I believe the AQ is still scheduled to sail through some of Nov. Hopefully someone who knows more can clarify this.
The poor MQ is not refurbished. All that was done was the demolishing part and who knows where the plans are now??? She sits forelorn accross the big muddy from NOLA.
And as for the blue. . . . Well it's a MAL thing, what can we say?? The splashboard of the DQ was scheduled to be blue too, fortunately cooler heads, or paint prices, prevailed.
I hope I've given you correct information, and haven't ruffled anyone's feathers.
Gang, feel free to correct me!
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
10/08/2008 1:47 am
PSSOA goes back to AMCV days or maybe even earlier, As far as the MQ she's on the "Mighty Mississippi" , The Missouri River has ALWAYS been known as the "Big Muddy", there is also a" Big Muddy River" near Mt. Vernon ILL. that flows into Rend Lake.
10/08/2008 4:36 am
I'll agree with you about my strong dislike of the blue on the AQ. I can tell you that even in the DQSC days under Delaware North, they were wishy-washy about letting non-passengers on the boat. I don't believe that they really cared if a person was a PSSOA member or not. The signboard on shore always said that members were welcome to board, by showing their PSSOA card and/or identification. But, almost always I was refused. I've given up the idea now, with Majestic America Line in control. If I don't know anyone on board, I don't even try. It would be nice if they would devise a useful plan, and stick to it. It would be a good PR move to allow repeaters to "come home" every now and then.
10/08/2008 5:44 am
I once joked to Phil that I wanted to contact DN and buy the "Paper" on the DQSC, just as a lark. If I'd only done that........
"What? Who ownes the company now? That banjo player we got rid of?
Too cool
Paul
10/08/2008 6:04 am
Matt, Perhaps I should have said "accross the big oily." Oh well, what's a Californyite to know?? Thanks for the correction!
S'
David D.
14/08/2008 4:24 am
Matt Sisak;12094 wrote: PSSOA goes back to AMCV days or maybe even earlier, As far as the MQ she's on the "Mighty Mississippi" , The Missouri River has ALWAYS been known as the "Big Muddy", there is also a" Big Muddy River" near Mt. Vernon ILL. that flows into Rend Lake.
When I started with DQSC in 1988 ( as many on this board know, it was "The DQSC Co.", which Delaware North changed to "DQSC, Inc.")...the past passenegr association was the "Mark Twain Association". Not sure exactly when it was changed to PSSOA... probably around 1992...but it was a very conscious and well thought- out marketing decision, including special cruise packaging with pre & post- cruise stays, some with elements not generally available to the public. The "Membership Purser", as many may remember from his many mentions in the PSSOA newsletter, and who escorted many PSSOA events, was "Jeremiah Boone", who actually was David Snow. He was ( and is) a fine gentleman and a wonderful host. In the DQSC heyday of the 1990's, the PSSOA card was supposed to be your key to the boat in any port. There were definitely some instances where the policy "got lost", but Corporate always intended it to be so.
PSSOA as an organization is gone, but I can tell you that many crew, beginning with myself, are very happy to see your badge and Frequent Floater pins... you have kept us from having to take an honest job ashore... and, the good Lord willing, will help a future operator keep Steamboatin' alive for posterity ( and perhaps save we crew's "posteriors" as well.)
14/08/2008 6:12 pm
Keith - We ran across you on our trip on the Empress of the North a few weeks ago in Alaska (second to the last trip of the Empress). We were the only ones wearing our PSSOA badges with our 15 Timer Pins. You commented on them, and we had a nice discussion about the badges. We had met you on another trip on the Columbia River a few years earlier. It is individuals like you that keep up the traditions and fun of river travel. Thanks for all your support and efforts. Becky and I hope to "see you on the river". You are a special riverboatman!